ITBA
A Smart Approach
to Responsible Breeding
Working for Irish Breeders
& Supporting your Industry
45
Foreword
The ITBA represents all breeders in Ireland, big and small,
National Hunt and Flat and our Committees and Council
members do a lot of voluntary work on your behalf. The
association also liaises with relevant government departments
on specific matters relating to all aspects of the Industry.
Our National Hunt Committee supports the interests of all NH
breeders. Their initiatives include the Fillies’ Race Scheme and as
well as the recently launched Fillies Leasing Scheme.
The Veterinary Committee of the ITBA advises breeders on all
veterinary matters and strives to maintain and protect the high
health status of the Irish national herd . This Committee also
overseas the annual production of the Code of Practice.
The launch of the YITBA (young association) was a natural progression for the ITBA as its aims
to identify and nurture future breeders.
We would welcome and encourage all breeders to become members of the ITBA
We hope this guide is a help to breeders as you prepare for the year ahead and provides you with
a great insight into the workings of the ITBA.
Dr. Dean Harron, ITBA Chairman
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Contents
Breeding Season ........................................................................................................... 5
Mare Evaluation
Stallion Selection
Keep an Eye on your Costs
Feeding Advice - Emma Case
Foaling and Post-Natal Advice - Steffi Bucca MRCVS
Foaling Tips - Peter Kavanagh
Farriery Needs - Jeremy Stanley
Foal Preparation ........................................................................................................... 11
Dermot Cantillon - Tinnakill House Stud
Philip Gilligan - Master Farrier
Dr. Mariann Klay - Irish Equine Centre
Joanne Hurley - Nutrition Expert with Gain Horse Feeds
Simon Kerins - Tattersalls Ireland
Maurice Burns - Rathasker Stud
Yearling Preparation ................................................................................................... 15
Nutritional Presentation - Joanne Hurley
Bill Dwan - Castlebridge Consignment
Visit to Pier House Stud
Don Collins - Veterinary Aspect
Responsible Ownership ............................................................................................. 23
Joanne Hurley - Nutrition
Shane O’Dwyer - Promoting Responsible Thoroughbred Ownership
Des Leadon - Irish Equine Centre
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4
Guide to the
Breeding Season
5
Mare Evaluation
There are four crucial indicators when evaluating your broodmare:
• PEDIGREE
Is she by a good sire / from a good family? Is she a sister to a black type winner?
• PERFORMANCE
Did she win? What rating did she achieve? Was she sound?
• CONFORMATION
Has she any serious conformation faults that she may/ does pass on to her progeny?
• PROGENY
Has she produced winners? What rating did they achieve? Did they sell well?
•
Are you making money breeding from your mare?
Continuously analyse her value and her ability to breed winners and make money for you.
•
Is your mare easy to get in foal? Do you know of any potential fertility problems?
•
As negative traits tend to be passed on, know if your mare is sound (especially of wind).
•
Keep your mare in good condition all year round with a balance of good pasture and diet.
•
Employ and keep a diary of a regular worming and farriery programme. Keep your mare
healthy and in good condition at all times for her and her foal’s benefit.
•
Check with the ITBA recommended Code of Practice and stallion farm veterinary
requirements to ensure your mare is compliant before going to stud. These requirements
are vital to safeguard the health of both your mare and the Irish broodmare herd.
Stallion Selection
•
Select a stallion with careful thought and try to
match your mare with her prospective mate
from a pedigree, value and conformation
viewpoint.
•
If your mare has a conformation fault ensure
that the stallion does not have the same
problem.
•
Always view a number of stallions before
making a decision so you can pick one to
complement your mare.
•
Know how many mares the stallion is going to
cover, his fertility etc.
•
Do not ‘overcover’ your mare by sending her
to a stallion whose stud fee far exceeds
what your mare merits. A general rule of
thumb is to spend 1/3 of your mare’s value on
the covering fee.
•
Don’t be seduced by special offers for an
unsuitable stallion.
•
Soundness in stallions is vital because, don’t forget, you are trying to breed a successful
and sound racehorse, and broodmares are only successful in the long term if their
progeny are winners.
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Keep an eye on your costs
By employing efficient work practices and good husbandry on your farm you can strive to
control costs.
• Negotiate with stallion farms, vets, feed companies, transport companies etc. to
ensure you get the best deals available.
• Keep a diary, use a teaser, know your mares cycle/covering date etc. to keep vets
visits and costs to a minimum.
• Employ a proper nutritional programme. Contact the ITBA for nutritional advice.
• Keep your mares boarding fees at stud to a minimum.
Organise walk in coverings if available.
• Upskill yourself by attending all relevant courses, seminars etc.
Contact office for details
• Select a suitable sale for your horses and ensure they are well presented at sales.
Familiarise yourself with conditions of sales.
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Feeding Advice from Equine Nutritionist Emma Case
Correct feeding of the foal
begins with the correct feeding
of the mare at conception.
Analyse the forage being fed
on a regular basis and use
balancers where necessary. A
careful check of ingredients is
vital, as conflicts can occur in
various feedstuffs and horses
may not be getting the
nutrients intended. Ensure
protein (amino acids), vitamin
and mineral support in the
early stages of gestation, which
the foal will later utilise at birth.
Move the mare on to stud mix
or cubes in the final trimester,
taking care not to overfeed or
allow the mare to become
overweight.
During lactation a mare will be producing 18-20 litres of milk a day and should be fed 12.5-15kg
per day, including forage, allowing the mare’s feed intake to rise by 2.5-3% of her body weight.
In the second stage of lactation it is advisable to reduce feed to 2-2.25% of body weight and to
reduce concentrates, feeding a ratio of forage 60-70% and concentrates 40-30%, helping the
mare to dry up and avoiding the risk of mastitis. Forage should be best quality, soft, leafy and
easily digestible.
Ideally the foal should already be on feed prior to weaning, as it is less stressful when weaned
and reduces the risks of compensatory growth spurts. A foal typically gains 0.9-1.1kg per day.
Keep meal sizes as small as possible and the better the forage available the less cubes or mix
needed, supplementing with balancers instead. Avoid feeding for energy, minimising starch
intake (cubes and mixes typically low in starch). Monitor the body weight and growth rate of
each individual. By 12 months the foal should be 90% of mature height and 65% of mature
weight, the weight gain required being 1 Ib/0.5kg per day.
Foaling and Post-Natal Advice from Steffi Bucca MRCVS
Foaling must always be attended, complications are rare, but when they occur are rapid. Twelve
minutes can make the difference between saving a mare and foal or losing them and observation
is the key. Vigilance is required to detect early signs of possible complications. The foal does not
change position in the womb after the ninth month of gestation, therefore a simple ultrasound
taken of all mares after the ninth month can reveal which foalings are likely to have complications
and the necessary preparations can be made well in advance.
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Mares foaling early in the year should be
under artificial lights for 16 hours a day
from 1st December in order to aid
lactation. Mastitis may develop in late
gestation so a daily inspection of vulva and
udder is vital. The breeder should also be
aware of individual pregnancy patterns.
Colic is the most common post-natal
problem for mares after foaling so ensure
normal feeding routine. It is essential to
have the mare checked by a vet within 24
hours of foaling in order to detect and
address any problems. Upon foaling, check
and keep the placenta, even a small
amount of placenta retained by the mare
may cause death. Care of the umbilicus is
very important and hygiene essential.
Should a ‘red bag’ birth arise, when the
foal may be asphyxiated in less than a few
minutes, it is vital to cut the bag open
immediately and pull the foal free.
Foaling Tips from Peter Kavanagh, Kildaragh Stud
Keep mare in clean environment and well-bedded, preferably 10 days prior to foaling so that she
is relaxed and used to her environment. Keep notes of each mare’s regular foaling habits and
obtain same from previous owners if necessary. Cause as little upset to the mare as possible.
Bandage her tail and sponge down.
In a normal delivery the white sack should appear first, then feet, with hooves facing down, and
nose. Interfere as little as possible. Assist gently, pulling one limb in front of the other to avoid
the shoulders blocking the canal. When the hind limbs appear do not pull or risk breaking the
umbilical cord. Treat the cord with iodine, 2% solution (higher burns) and examine the placenta.
Tie it, knot it and retain. The placenta should be passed within 1-2 hours, if not, the mare should
be given a shot. Bonding is important, guide the foal to the mare’s head. Make up a light mash
to feed her before she gets up. Check the mare’s colostrum levels before the foal suckles and
analyse.
A foaling kit is essential and should be placed in
every foaling box in preparation:
SCALPEL BLADE
LONG PLASTIC GLOVES
TAIL BANDAGE
KY JELLY
SCISSORS
PULLING ROPES
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IODINE & 10cc syringe (fill when mares goes down so that it’s to hand when foal is delivered
and once umbilical cord is severed apply same to foal’s navel)
REFRACTOMETER measures colostrum. Most mares have a reading of 21 or greater.
If reading is 15-20 or less get advice from your vet – foal will need bottled or tubed colostrum.
ENEMA
A small cylinder of oxygen is also useful to have in case the foal should have difficulties.
Farriery Needs
from Jeremy
Stanley, Chairman
of the Master
Farriers’
Association
Good healthy feet are vital to
promote a good healthy fullterm pregnancy. Neglected
hoof care leads to laminitis and
ultimately an inability to carry a
growing foal full term. Hoof
care is therefore important to
the long term breeding
prospects of the mare. It is just
as essential in the foal and the
farrier can correct many limb deformities, which will be more cost-effective than corrective
surgery later on. A foal should receive farrier attention every four weeks in order to avoid longterm corrective procedures that can prove costly. The mare should be seen by the farrier every
6-8 weeks. Be aware of the ideal shape of the hoof and recognise changes that could signify a
problem.
To avoid the risk of injury to both foal and farrier the foal should be well-handled and sufficient
trained staff should be on hand during the visit. Provide a good clean surface and a safe
environment for both horse and farrier, a professional presentation will ensure a professional
service.
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Guide to
Foal Preparation
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Dermot Cantillon - Tinnakill House Stud
Never buy a mare without black type in the first line. When selecting a stallion consider
Performance, Pedigree, Physique, Price. Make sure your mare is in the top 20% of the book,
send her to a lesser stallion if necessary.
Send unproven mares to proven
stallions. If you have a good element
in a pedigree then build on it.
The birth process must be managed by
experienced people. The foal should be
monitored on a periodic basis.
Weaning is a traumatic time so
introduce foals to solids long before.
The post-weaning slump is a natural
phenomenon and a foal can lose 5%
of its body weight.
Forage is important and feed a little and often, introducing changes gradually. A farrier is also
essential and foals should be seen every five to six weeks from a month old.
Sale selection is important. The catalogue page is vital. When the proofs come out ensure the
page shows off the foal to the maximum. If something significant happens after print, make
certain it goes in as a supplement. Be there early, at least two days in advance where possible.
Adopt an exercise programme. It’s important foals can show themselves. Have them practise,
standing up regularly. Make sure they are walked correctly. Uniforms are a good idea. Have
good tack, one per horse. Door cards are essential.
Watch the sales ring, know what’s selling and know your potential buyers. Establish a realistic
reserve. After the sales, evaluate the performance of your stock, your staff and yourself.
Philip Gilligan - Master Farrier
Most foals are born toed out, but as the chest broadens they
correct themselves. A foal should be seen by a farrier every
three to four weeks. Watch them walking in a straight line
towards you at least once a week.
Have the foal well handled and used to picking up his feet. At
least one holder for each animal in a stable is essential for a
safe environment. Take notes every time the foal is trimmed
and assess the progress. Foals straighten on their own in the
first fortnight and the farrier can correct anything more serious.
Dr. Mariann Klay - Irish Equine Centre
Check the mare daily for discharge from the vulva. If the mare is bagging up too early, it is a bad
sign. Regular worming is vital. Correctly vaccinations, the foal gains from passive receipt.
Vaccinate four to six weeks before foaling for maximum effect. Early recognition and treatment
of placetitus is essential. Screen and acquire the risk assessment from Weatherbys.
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There should never be an unattended foaling. Check the presentation of the foal, if it is not
normal, get the vet to the mare or the mare to the vet. Test colostrum and make your own
colostrum bank, take 300-400ml and put it in your own freezer. The expulsion of the placenta
should occur within 1-2 hours. If it has not been expelled within six hours you must get a vet.
Ensure the foal passes meconium. A phosphate enema can be bought in any pharmacy and as
soon as the foal starts to strain administer to lubricate and help. The chord should be cleansed
once a day for a week. IgG testing should be routine at 8-12 hours. There should be a routine
veterinary examination within 24 hours.
The foal should have immediate exercise, to get rid of the meconium and for the mare to get rid
of fluids. The worming programme can begin at four weeks. Vaccinate two weeks before
weaning.
Herpes vaccination minimises incidents of abortion. If you have yearlings returning from the
sales keep them away from mares, as they can spread respiratory disease and most weanlings
are carriers.
Prepare for the sales five to six weeks in advance. Stand the foals up, put a bit in their mouth
and every time they are fetched in and out make them stand. When they’re led, walk actively
and with purpose. Walk them for five minutes in the first week and build up to 20 minutes,
increasing by five minute increments every week.
No one likes to see a rug on a foal. Only groom in the last week prior to sale, you don’t want to
remove the natural oils.
X-rays are unnecessary and scope a foal at home and bring in the CD and veterinary certificate.
Anti-ulcer treatment is useful at weaning and at the sales. Be aware of diseases at the sales in
case you need to fetch your horse home again.
Joanne Hurley - Nutrition Expert with Gain Horse Feeds
80% of foetal development
occurs in the last three months.
Zinc,
copper,
iron
and
manganese are critical, as the
foal stores these in the liver for
later use. Feed concentrated
feed. NH mares foaling later
need only a balancer if at
pasture. During lactation the
mare produces 15kg of milk per
day and there is a 100% energy
requirement increase.
Creep feed foals separately from
the mare to control intake.
There are products available for
low
intake,
with
high
concentrates, to be fed in small
amounts. The foal will have
attained 68.5% of bone
development at six months and
76% at one year.
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The foal will consume up to 18kg of milk a day. At six months the foal is 46% of its mature
weight, 65% at 12 months and 90% at 22 months. Steady moderate growth reduces
developmental problems. Weighing scales are essential and you should carefully monitor growth
rate.
Good quality forage will avoid potbelly. Avoid changes to the diet. Electrolytes are a good idea
if travelling long distances. If the foal is too stressed to eat, offer alfalfa and mix with a little
feed.
Simon Kerins - Tattersalls Ireland
A nice foal will stand out on a
weaker day. Have the foal well
prepared and ensure it knows its
job, that it can walk and stand
properly. Make sure they can go in
and out of the box.
Be ready to show early. Have clean,
well-fitted tack, one per foal. Be
with your foal at all times. Have
well turned out staff. Work with the
auctioneer, he’s there to help you.
Set a sensible reserve, do not
expect to fetch the nomination fee.
Maurice Burns - Rathasker Stud
Worm the mares seven days after foaling.
Have the farrier do corrective trimming on foals.
Feed the foals with the mare, the mare should
get at least 12Ibs per day.
Lead foals as soon as possible.
Worm foals at 28 days and then every six
weeks.
Cribbox on tails prevents them being chewed.
Ring any hernias about two weeks before
weaning.
We let the foals out together in the morning
and feed them in the paddocks. Before lunch
we bring them in and they get a small feed.
After lunch they have bits put in and are taken
in groups for a forced march - starting at 15
minutes and building up to 30 minutes.
All colts are examined by a vet and a testicle
certificate issued and put on the stable doors at
the sales.
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Guide to
Yearling Preparation
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Nutritional Presentation by Joanne Hurley
A
B
ADG (Average Daily Gain) - The normal Average Daily Gain of yearlings is between 0.3
- 0.6kg per day.
BCS (Body Condition Score) - Horse owners can use various BCS systems such as the
Henneke Scoring System to monitor their horses weight gain ensuing they are in optimal
condition neither too thin nor too obese.
Balancer Pellets - Balancer products such as Gain Opti-Gro pellets are a highly
concentrated source of top quality protein, trace minerals and vitamins and are particularly
suitable for yearlings that may be prone to DOD or DSP (see below) due to excessive
weight gain. They can be fed by themselves or in conjunction with other ‘complete’ feeds.
C
D
Copper - The trace mineral copper is essential in bone formation as a copper containing
enzyme is involved in the conversion of cartilage to bone.
DOD or DSP (Developmental Orthopaedic Disease or Developmental Skeletal Problems)
- This is an ‘umbrella’ term used to describe a number of abnormalities in skeletal
development, they include:
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) - cartilage flap/free floating cartilage in joint.
• Subchondral cysts (osteochondrotic lesions) - infolding of thickened cartilage.
• Cervical vertebral malformation (wobbler syndrome) - narrowing of vertebral
column...compression of spinal chord
• Physitis (lesions which lead to enlargement of growth plates of epiphysis above
the knee, hock and fetlocks)
• Angular limb deformities - deviations of limb alignment in relation to midline of
limb
• Cubodial bone malformation (collapse or injury of carpal/tarsal bones, often in
premature foals)
• Acquired forelimb contracture - as a result of joint pain caused by physitis, OCD,
septic wounds or hoof infections
Some of the known causes of DOD/DSP are: Genetics, Environment, Trauma and
Nutrition.
E
Exercise - In conjunction with diet,
exercise regime plays a major role in the
conditioning of a yearling for sales.
Exercise programmes vary from stud to
stud depending on manpower and
facilities. Mechanical walkers, lunging,
hand walking and swimming are some of
the more common methods used. A
certain level of physical fitness is also
required in order for yearlings to pass a
test for soundness of ‘wind’.
F
Feed Intake - This depends on previous
nutritional history, size, forage quantity
and quality offered, individual metabolism
and energy expended through exercise.
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Feeding Schedule - The rule of thumb when feeding yearlings should be little and often,
it is also important to remember not to feed concentrates too soon before exercise. If
feeding large quantities of feed per day it is a good idea to offer them in as many meals
as possible.
Forage Intake - Forage of good physical and nutritional quality should be offered at a
recommended minimum rate of 1.5% of body weight in dry matter per day.
G
Gastric Ulcers - Yearlings being prepped for sales that are in a stressful environment can
be prone to developing gastric ulcers. While more commonly found in racehorses in
training any horse meal fed, without access to a constant supply of forage, can be
susceptible to ulcers. If you suspect your yearling may be suffering from ulcers (poor
‘starey’ coat, lack of thrive, sourness of attitude) seek veterinary advice and offer small
frequent meals and trickle feed forage.
O
Oils - Oils are very beneficial in terms of improving the overall digestible energy content
of the diet, they have a positive effect on coat condition and also help to reduce the
‘Glycemic Index’ of the diet. Some examples of good quality oils are: Linseed oil, Carron
oil, Soya Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Fish Oils. These can be top-dressed onto feed or they may
be already included in manufactured products.
R
RER (Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis) - This is more commonly known as ‘Tying
Up’, some yearlings may be prone to this post exercise. There can be mild or severe
cases. A medical diagnosis can be confirmed by a vet who will look at enzyme levels in
the blood (CK and AST levels). There can be sporadic cases (once off) or chronic cases
(repeated episodes). This is a multifactorial disease and some of the recommendations
for dealing with ‘Tying Up’ include reducing stress, avoiding box rest, ensure horse is fit
enough for the work you are asking him to do, ensure electrolytes lost in exercise are
replaced, ensure adequate antioxidant levels are present in the diet, feeding a diet high
in fat and fibre and low in starch has been shown to help reduce the incidence of Tying
Up in horses that are prone to this condition.
S
Specialised Feeds - A number of specialised feeds are available for preparing horses for
sales, these feeds such as Gain Prep ‘N’ Condition are fully fortified, balanced feeds,
high in oil, super fibres and contain digestible cereals and high quality proteins.
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Bill Dwan
Bill Dwan runs Castlebridge Stud and Castlebridge Consignment in Co Meath and has approx
100 yearlings per annum at all major Sales. 50% of horses are prepared at home and 50%
prepared by clients.
The advantage his clients get from getting him to sell their horses are as follows:
• Normally get a good position at sales
• Every agent will come looking for horses from them as consignors
• Very familiar with what type of horse the buyer wants
• Good at preparing the yearlings to look their best during sales
To begin preparation Bill suggested that we start at the very beginning, he recommends
vaccinating all mares with EHV during pregnancy at 5 months, 7 months and 9 months to
prevent abortion. Bill reiterated the necessity of vaccinating all animals as you don’t realise its
importance until you get an outbreak. With mares you have to assess which sires are fashionable,
the previous progeny of the mare and how they run and also assess whether or not your animal
is physically ready to sell at foal stage.
Castlebridge Consignment handle their foals at a very
early stage, yearling preparation really begins as a foal.
They will pick their feet and very lightly brush the foals
on a regular basis. They winter all their weanlings
inside from October/November depending on
weather until March. They will winter 25/30
weanlings in groups of 4/5 in separate all weather
paddocks. They get fed in the morning, then out to
the paddocks and get taken back in at night time. Bill
felt that they do better from being in during the winter
at Castlebridge also they get to see each animal on a
daily basis so they can keep a good eye on how they
are progressing. The farrier sees each animal on a
monthly basis, They also put Cribbox on their tails.
In January they will x-ray any yearling
going to Newmarket, Book 1 or Orby
sale in Goffs, this is to check if they
have any chips or OCD's. The horses
would have to be worth getting this
procedure done. Castlebridge scope all
foals at home and their vet will write up
the Cert. In March they will begin to put
bits and bridles on foals, they are also
put on the horse walker. Initially it is just
small, slow stuff to prevent risking them
getting injured.
Horses will be let out in April. Some
yearlings would have had corrective
work done when they were younger by
the farrier, any correction would be done
gradually. We will have to keep an eye
kkk
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on the knees as some are blistered and this has to be watched on a regular basis. The yearlings
will be feed yearling cubes when they are out every day. This is to insure that they get the
required nutrition into them. Mineral blocks are out in all fields. DMSO Gel is put on yearlings
to prevent splints, in Castlebridge they purchased a laser unit to use on splints and will put DMSO
on after. The key to splints is to get them when they start, as they are hard to remove when they
get hard and are fully formed.
Sales companies representatives come in April/May
Deauville is the first sale for Castlebridge Consignment;
when selecting yearlings for Deauville you would want a
horse that is physically very forward.
Doncaster Sale is traditionally a sale for fast 2yo types so
horses would have to:
Need a very good walk
They buy as type here, not as concerned about pedigree
If you think your animal is not physically ready don’t go
If you try to expediate the preparation you could
damage their joints
Goffs Orby and Newmarket 1, 2 and 3, they sell more
traditional types than Doncaster/Deauville
Points for Sale Preparation
It is important that the horse is not out shone in a sale, once you have decided on sale the
preparation begins about 8 -10 weeks prior to that sale
They will be stabled at night out during the day, get them settled and put bits in mouths.
A normal day would consist of feed at 6am, get on walker at 7am for an hour, go into individual
paddocks - colts. Fillies can be put out in 2s and 3s. You are also increasing their feeds. 12pm
they are fed again, lunged and hand-walked at 2pm. Lunging is usually about 10 mins per day,
colts get more lunging than fillies, you can judge yourself on each horse themselves, trot horses
lunging, do not canter.
If a horse does not eat then you have a problem, always act on it.
Each yearling should be handwalked for 20 mins. The horses are walked in groups of 5 on a
walkway of sand and rubber or in the field. Each horse takes his turn in front to get them used
to being shown. Practice standing up as if they are at the sales, after a while they will get used
to doing it.
Fed again at 4.00pm. Weather depending they could be rugged/light sheets during the day
Fed again at 9.00pm. They get yearling cubes and minerals and oil in their feed. You will have
to feed a big quantity, up to 25lbs of feed a day for colts prior to sales.
Each horse is looked at weekly for its on-going individual development. If you can get more
feed in you can get more work done whereas if a horse is getting joint problems you’d want to
ease off on feed and work.
Sales are high stress areas for man and beast
As the sales date closes in, the horses get shoes in front and at the sales they get hind shoes, so
they don’t get any nicks or cuts.
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Get horses to the sales early as they can suffer from travel sickness, electrolytes can be used as
they travel to the sales. Bring your own feed as it is more beneficial if they remain on the same
feed continually.
Staff are sent over to sales arenas prior to the arrival of the animals to insure that the stables are
up to scratch. They will clean stables out and wash out feed and water troughs. On arrival the
horses’ temperatures will be taken and they will be observed very closely. Should it be a little low,
the vet would be called straight away.
Let them settle in naturally on day one and then get them lunging and walking.
Ensure that the door cards are up when you are ready to show them
Each yearling has a sales and a work bridle, make sure they are fitted prior to travelling and
always bring extra gear.
On Sales Day:
• Day starts at 5.30am
Yearling lunged/walked (stables will be mucked out as this happens)
• Back in and fed
• Change into sales gear at 7am
• Each horse is pulled out 1 by 1, they are looked over, feet oiled, white socks
shampooed and cleaned
• Sales bridle is outside their stable
• Ready to show at 8am
• Remember you have only 30 seconds to impress a potential buyer, you have to be
ready for the big day, you only get one crack at it.
If horse has had x-rays, ensure there is a lap-top at the barn so they can be viewed
No scoping at sales they are all done prior to sales at home but would allow a vet to do a scope
early in the morning
Place a reserve on the horse (about one hour prior to sale). We do not like to put too high a
reserve, we like to get them on the market, we feel you will get your true value on a horse. This
game is not an exact science and that you are never finished learning.
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Visit to Pier House Stud
Brothers Brendan and Ger Morrin very kindly hosted the group of breeders who attended the
Seminar. During this visit, the brothers gave a hand on approach to yearling preparation,
addressing many issues raised by fellow breeders. While at the stud, they also got to see a 3parts sister (by Ravens Pass) to the Classic winning filly Elusive Wave bred by Pier House Stud.
Yearling Preparation Tips & Hints from Ger Morrin, Pier House Stud
• The yearling preparation starts as soon as the foal is born; I think it is an advantage to
handle the foals and get them used to walking upsides you at an early age. It makes life
easier when they become bigger and stronger.
• I think it is important to keep them worm dosed and give minerals on a regular base.
• Also I like the farrier to look at them every month as it’s amazing the way they change.
• We like to get our yearlings to grass at the end of March or early April but this can
depend on the weather.
• We bring them in for the sales about nine weeks before the sale. They start off on the
walker doing light exercise and we build them up to about fifty minutes to an hour.
• We also lunge them about three times a week, this helps them to look well, and stops
them getting fat. It is important the lunging ring has a good surface, a lot of injuries
occur whereby yearlings slip and lose their footing.
• We also like to hand walk them. The yearlings are fed two to three times a day
depending on the individual.
• They are shod on front the week after they come in off grass, and reshod again when
needed. They are shod for the final time about five days before the sales.
• I think you are better keeping things simple and keep your horses happy and hopefully
they will reward you.
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Don Collins - Veterinary Aspect
Don Collins MVB MRCVS, of The Phoenix Equine Group informs us that the only vaccination
requirement for yearlings is against flu and stressed that it was a useful and necessary thing to
do. He explained that ‘Yearlings should receive two primary injections not less than 3 and not
more than 13 weeks apart’. If time permits, a booster injection should be given not less than 5
and not more than 7 months apart.’
The reasons why this is so important is that
• Gives protection to the individual animal against influenza
• Prevents a non-vaccinated animal from becoming a multiplier of diseases
• Ensures all animals at the sales are of an equal health status
• Promotes international confidence with regard to Bio-Security
Don explained that the flu vaccination can be administered from 5 months and also suggested
that each animal should receive the tetanus vaccination. This is not a sales requirement but he
encourages that it is administered during the foal year.
The flu vaccination should be given in the yearling year as they are required by the sales
companies. The objective is to maintain all yearlings in group at optimal and equivalent health
status to prevent disease outbreak. It is also essential to create the best sales candidate starting
off for the sales.
Before taking your yearling to the sales, Don recommends that the animal should be strong and
resistant to disease. Prior to sales all yearlings should have had good nutrition, de-worming,
vaccinations, minimal stress and should be free from disease. If you are taking in yearlings from
other people to prepare for sales, there should always be a period of quarantine to prevent
introduction of disease to the group. During the quarantine period it is essential to observe the
animal for signs of disease and treat accordingly. The objective of quarantine is to ensure at the
time of joining your own group of yearlings that they are all of equal health status.
During sales, Don suggests that you
arrive in the evening with your yearling
when the complex is quiet to minimise
stress. He also recommended that you
clean and disinfect the stable over and
above what is presented to you by the
sales companies. Should you suspect that
your yearling is not right there are vets
on hand to give you a prompt diagnosis.
Should there be a problem, ensure that
you isolate this yearling as quick as
possible to receive treatment and allow
the yearling to be re-introduced quickly.
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Guide to
Responsible Ownership
23
Joanne Hurley - Nutrition
Regardless of a horse’s function we have a duty of care as horse owners and breeders to
ensure that their welfare is our priority, a well managed feeding programme is part of that
responsibility. Horse Owners can use a body condition scoring system such as the Henneke
Scoring System to monitor their horse’s condition and ensure that their health is not
jeopardised by over or under feeding. I have outlined a number of factors to consider when
feeding your growing, breeding, performing or mature horse in the paragraphs below and I
hope that this will be useful for all horse owner whether managing a large or small operation.
Grass remains a major component of the diet of
most horses in Ireland. Pastures vary in their
composition from season to season and also
from region to region. Certain geographical
areas may have pastures which are deficient in
certain trace elements particularly copper, zinc,
manganese and/or selenium. Hence it is
important to know if the pasture you graze is
deficient in any trace elements especially if the
pasture is the main source of nutrients.
Grassland management can have a major
influence on the quality of grass available to
your horses good management practices
include: pasture rotation, mixed grazing,
stocking rates can vary, the commonly
recommended rule of thumb is two acres for the
first animal and then one acre for each
subsequent animal, depending on level of
supplementation of the diet. It is important rest
some pasture during the winter months in order to ensure optimal grass growth in early Spring.
Overstocking of paddocks, particularly on wetter land can lead to poaching and hence reduced
growth in the growing season.
Concentrate supplementation is generally required during the winter months in order to meet
the nutrient requirements of horses fed on forage-based diets. As the nutrient requirements
increase the level/type of supplementation must change accordingly. A good quality forage
(grass/hay/haylage) supplemented with a ‘balancer pellet’ (containing all the essential trace
mineral and vitamins) would be suited to horses in light work/easy-keepers over the winter
period. In contrast, mares in late gestation, youngstock and horses in intense exercise will have
increased energy, protein and amino acid requirements.
Feeding the Broodmare
Although the foetus only gains about 35% of its foaling weight in the first two trimesters of
pregnancy a well balanced diet at this time will provide nutrients that can improve the health of
the foetus and assure normal development. However, in late pregnancy, the foetus begins to
develop rapidly resulting in a significant increase in the mares nutrient requirements. Digestible
energy requirements increase only by about 15% at this time however, protein and mineral
requirements increase to a greater extent as the foetal tissue being synthesised is quite high in
protein, calcium and phosphorus. Trace mineral supplementation is also very important during
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this period because the foetus stores iron, zinc, copper and manganese in its liver for use during
the first few months after it is born. Mares in late pregnancy are often overfed energy in an
attempt to supply adequate protein and minerals to the developing foal. If the pregnant mare
becomes fat during late pregnancy, she should be switched to a feed that is more concentrated
in protein and minerals so that less can be fed per day. This will restrict her energy intake while
ensuring that she receives adequate quantities of other key nutrients.
After foaling, the mares nutrient requirements increase significantly. During the first three
months of lactation mares produce milk at a rate equal to about 3% of their body weight per
day. This milk is rich in energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins. Therefore, the mare
should be fed enough concentrate in conjunction with good quality forage to meet these
increased requirements, if she does not receive adequate nutrition during this period she may dip
into her own body reserves losing condition.
Feeding the Growing Horse
The young growing horse achieves about 90% of
its full adult size within the first year of its life.
Growth in the early stages of life results in the
laying down of new tissues which result in bone,
tendon, ligament, muscle etc. Hence, the foals
diet needs to supply sufficient nutrients to meet
this growth. While the young foal is suckling their
dams milk will meet these requirements providing
that she is well nourished. As the foal develops,
forages will become and increasing portion of its
diet. Energy, protein and amino acid intake have
the greatest impact on the growth and
development of growing horses. While energy is
used to fuel the metabolism a source of good
quality protein is essential to ensure proper bone
and muscle formation. The amino acids lysine and
threonine are limiting for proper growth in the
foal.
Once a foal is weaned it is important that the foal
have a quality source of these limiting amino acids
in their diet. While these nutrients are limiting for
proper growth they are not the only nutritional need of the foal. Sufficient quantities of minerals
and vitamins are essential for proper development and health. Not only are these needed in
sufficient quantities but also in balance with one another. For example too much phosphorus in
the diet can interfere with calcium absorption resulting in hyperparathyroidism. Commercial
feedstuffs are designed with these critical balances in mind. Feeds especially formulated for foals
are usually more concentrated in nutrients to meet their high requirements as the foals digestive
system is not designed for high concentrate intakes.
Feeding Horses in Work
Once a horse is in steady work, no matter what level special attention should be given to the diet.
The demands of performance place stresses on the horses body that would normally not occur
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if the horse was just turned out to pasture. The energy requirements of a horse in work increase
according to their work load. The body of the horse is well adapted to storing and mobilising
energy from various types of nutrients e.g. fibre, sugar, starch and fat. Fibre is often overlooked
as an energy source, however, the digestive tract of the horse is designed to obtain energy from
forages. This source of energy is not produced very rapidly and is therefore suited for moderate
to low intensity work. Starch and sugars, found mainly in grains and molasses provide a more
readily available source of energy which are important for intense exercise such as short bursts
of speed. Added dietary fat in the form of an oil or stabilised rice bran is another source of
energy for the horse. The advantages of adding fat to the diet is the concentrated nature of the
energy which enables it to be fed in smaller amounts. It also provides a ‘staying’ source of
energy. Excess protein in the diet can also be used as an energy source by the body however,
this is not desirable and is also not cost effective. The harder a horse works and the more testing
the performance, the more vitamins and minerals the horse requires. For example, contractions
cause oxidative damage to muscle cells, vitamin E works as an antioxidant to help restore muscle
membrane integrity. Similarly, B vitamins are used during the cycle of energy synthesis and
therefore as the level of work increases so does the animals requirement for these vitamins. The
stress of intense exercise on bones may also slightly increase the need for calcium, phosphorus,
magnesium, copper and zinc. Concentrates designed for performance horses take these
requirements into consideration when designing rations with their products frequently being
fortified to help the performance horse.
Good Feeding Practices = Healthy Digestive System
• Feed horse by status – i.e. age and function (growing, racing, breeding, lactating etc.)
• Feed horse according to weight – it is recommended that horses received between
1.5-2% of body weight in dry matter per day
• Feed horses according to body condition – excess condition can lead to as many
problems as under condition
• As much good quality roughage as possible should be offered to the horse
e.g. 50% roughage for horse in light to medium work
• A balanced diet is essential
• Feed concentrates by weight not by volume
• Try to split daily feed into 2-3 meals
• Avoid abrupt dietary changes
• Ensure clean, fresh water is available at all times
• All horses should have access to salt
• Only feed high quality, clean feeds
• Do not feed too soon before or after exercise
• Keep an eye on horses teeth – good dentition is essential in a healthy digestive system
• Regular worming programme
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Roughage or Concentrate?
• The further we deviate from natural pattern of grazing the more likely we are to cause
a digestive upset in the horse
• Horses are herbivores hence a minimum of 50% of daily dry matter intake of roughage
is recommended
• These levels of intake are hard to achieve in horses in hard training alternative fibre
sources are looked at to maintain gut health. These include the addition of alfalfa,
chaff or ‘super fibres’ to the diet
• Increased access to roughage will reduce the incidence of colic in horses.
• However, access to lush pastures in Spring, that are high in water content and low in
fibre can increase the risk of colic – it is a good idea to offer horses hay while turned out
on lush pasture. (Excess of lush pasture can also lead to laminitis).
• Quality of roughage is also important as poor quality or mouldy hay/haylage can
contain mycotoxins which can also lead to digestive upsets.
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Shane O’Dwyer
Promoting Responsible Thoroughbred Ownership
This document has been prepared to give guidance to horse owners on the care of the horse and
options available to prevent horses becoming unwanted or neglected. These options primarily
include alternative uses and retirement. They also include inevitable end-of-life decisions,
including euthanasia, humane destruction and disposal.
Ireland has an international reputation for the production of high quality horses and for excellent
horsemanship. This reputation has been built on a long legacy of quality care and husbandry.
Care of the Horse
Responsible horse ownership, horse breeding and every other horse related activity require a
clear knowledge and understanding of the owner’s responsibilities both legally and in terms of
the care, cost implications, demands on time, usage and limitations of use, legislation and
ultimately disposal of the horse. Every owner has an individual responsibility in this context.
Many of our horses are highly prized and valuable. However, the increased horse production of
recent years is tempered by the realities of a very different national and global financial climate.
This means that every horse owner has to consider all the options available for their horse, to
prevent it becoming unwanted or falling into a state of neglect or suffering. Horse owners must
be mindful that there is a legal requirement to have an identification document (passport) for
each horse they possess, and that this should accompany the animal on journeys, when sold
and during the disposal process.
Best practice standards of care are available from the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council,
Animal Health & Welfare Division, Agriculture House, Kildare St., Dublin 2. The relevant
document is available at www.agriculture.gov.ie/fawac. Legal obligations are under the
Protection of Animals Act 1911 and Amendment 1965 in addition to other legislation relevant
to the individual type of horse. There is a new Animal Health and Welfare Bill being drafted at
the moment which will update and consolidate existing legislation.
Alternative Uses
Horses are best kept in an active and stimulating
environment which will fulfil their needs according to their
state of health and wellbeing. Owners can seek to place
their horses in alternative use and career programmes,
which can include retraining or donation to therapeutic
riding programmes.
Horse owners have to be realistic, since not all horses are
suitable for these programmes and opportunities for
placement within them is limited. A retraining service and
advice on retraining options are available from The Irish
Horse Welfare Trust (www.ihwt.ie).
Retirement
Retirement requires that adequate long term provision is made to ensure that the horse cannot
fall into a state of neglect. Those who cannot provide retirement facilities themselves can consider
paying others to provide this service for them. Responsible retirement can be achieved by
adhering to the concept of the ‘five freedoms’ to which every horse is entitled and which horse
owners are obliged to provide:
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1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst by ready access to fresh water and
a diet to maintain full health and
vigour.
2. Freedom from Discomfort - by
providing an appropriate
environment including shelter and
a comfortable resting area.
3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or
Disease - by prevention or rapid
diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to Express Normal
Behaviour - by providing sufficient
space, proper facilities and
company of the animal's own
kind.
5. Freedom from Fear and Distress by ensuring conditions and
treatment which avoid mental
suffering.
Retirement without ensuring that these principles can be provided and adhered to for the rest
of the horse’s life is irresponsible, potentially cruel and can lead to prosecution.
If you think you have seen an animal being abused or neglected please contact the ISPCA
National Cruelty Help Line on 1890 515 515.
Euthanasia, Humane Destruction / Slaughter & Disposal
Euthanasia to prevent suffering is a well established principle in
every sector of animal care. The veterinary profession provides
this highly skilled and humane service where horses are kept.
Disposal of the remains / carcass is then the responsibility of the
horse owner. Burial is no longer an option due to restrictions
imposed by environmental laws (European Communities Animal
By-Products Regulations 2003).
Humane destruction is also available through horse slaughter
facilities, which are licensed and supervised by the Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. These facilities dispose of
horse remains / carcasses in accord with EU and national
legislation. Horses with passports stamped ‘Not For Human Consumption’ or where signed by
the owner or keeper on the appropriate passport page as ‘Not Intended For Slaughter For Human
Consumption’, may not enter the human food chain.
Humane destruction and carcass disposal is also available through the knackery service.
A list of Ireland’s knackeries and horse slaughter facilities is available from the Department of
Agriculture at www.agriculture.gov.ie/schemes/fallenanimalscheme.doc
Summary
If you own or keep a horse you are morally and legally responsible for its health, safety and
welfare while it is in your ownership/possession.
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Des Leadon - Irish Equine Centre
Owning a Thoroughbred horse or horses involves accepting responsibility for usage and
ultimately for disposal. There are many potential opportunities for disposal through sale, retraining, retirement or humane destruction. Irresponsible disposal is unacceptable and may result
in prosecution.There always has been and always will be, a need for responsible animal rescue
organistaions. They, together with Local Authorities and other institutions of the State, help us
all to deal with the consequences of irresponsible ownership and irresponsible disposal.
Their needs need to be quantified to help to assess the resources that need to be made available
to them. Numbers of horses that are being disposed of and that ways in which they are being
diposed need to be known, in a verifiable manner.
The types of horses that form the disposal group need to be identified. Changes in numbers and
types will vary over time. These trends need annual appraisal. This knowledge would helps us
all to understand what precisely is happening and what precisely we need to do about it.
The term used to describe this type of population information is ‘Demogrpahics’. Examples of
Demographic studies of horse populations are provided below. They clearly illustrate the value
of the information that they generate. They also illustrate the need for similar studies here in
Ireland.
Unwanted horses: The role of non-profit equine rescue
and sanctuary organizations
K. E. Holcomb, C. L. Stull and P. H. Kass
Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of California, Davis 95616 - [email protected]
Abstract
Closure of United States equine slaughter
facilities in 2007 along with the concomitant
economic recession have contributed to a sharp
increase in the number of unwanted horses
throughout the US, with estimates totaling
100,000 horses per year. The objective of the
study was to obtain comprehensive data
regarding non-profit organizations caring for
unwanted horses, along with the characteristics
and outcome of horses relinquished to these
organizations. Non-profit organizations that
accept relinquished equines were contacted to
participate in a 90-question survey. Responding
organizations (144 of 236 eligible) in 37 states
provided
information
on
280
cases
representative of the 7,990 horses relinquished
between 2007 and 2009. Data collected
characterized these organizations as being in
existence for 6 yr, financially supported through
donations and personal funds, dedicated to the
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care of only 10 to 20 horses on a
property of just over 30 acres, and
reliant on volunteers for help.
Funding was the greatest challenge
to continued operation of non-profit
equine
organizations,
with
maintenance costs for the care of a
relinquished horse averaging $3,648
per year. Financial hardship, physical
inability or lack of time to care for
the horses by owners were the most
common reasons for relinquishment,
followed by seizure through law
enforcement agencies for alleged
neglect or abuse. Relinquished
horses consisted of mostly light
horse breeds (79.3%), with
Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses
as the most represented breeds. The
age of relinquished horses ranged
from 3 d to 42 yr old (12.4 ± 0.5 yr).
About half of the horses entered in
the survey were considered
unhealthy due to illness, injury,
lameness, or low body condition.
For every 4 horses relinquished to a non-profit organization, only 3 horses were adopted or sold
between 2006 and 2009, and many organizations had refused to accept additional horses for
lack of resources. The estimated maximum capacity for the 326 eligible registered non-profit
equine rescue facilities of 13,400 is well below the widely-published estimate of 100,000 horses
that become unwanted in the US every year. Non-profit equine rescue and sanctuary facilities
have historically played an important role in safeguarding the welfare of horses in society, but
funding and capacity are limiting factors to their potential expansion in continuing to care for the
current population of unwanted and neglected horses in the US.
The demographic characteristics of horses donated to
North Carolina State University Equine Health Center
1996-2008
Bowman et al (2010) JAVMA (12) 1334-1337.
In 2007, the last equine slaughterhouse in the United States closed. While this practice continues
in Canada and Mexico, the options available for most owners of unwanted horses began to
change even before the final closure. North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary
Medicine recently published a retrospective study looking at the demographics of horses donated
to their Equine Health Center from 1996 to 2008. The goal was to determine the characteristics
of horses being offered for donation during this period, including the basis for donation. Medical
records for horses accepted for donation were reviewed, as well as telephone records of calls
made by horse owners offering horses for donation.
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The number of horses accepted for donation to the facility dramatically increased between 2006
and 2008. However, the average age of accepted horses did not change dramatically over the
12-year period, with the largest percentage being between 6 and 10 years of age. Only 11.5%
were over the age of 20, and of all the offered horses, only 18.7% were of advanced age. There
was also a fairly even distribution of mares and geldings, and while a larger number of breeding
animals was donated than in previous studies, this may have reflected a regional difference.
Breed distribution was also examined. The two most common breeds offered for donation were
Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds. The proportion of Quarter horses mirrored estimates of the
North Carolina light breed horse population, while Thoroughbreds were over-represented. Mixed
breeds, often considered less desirable as performance or breeding animals, were not frequently
offered for donation. Most of the horses had previously been used for pleasure riding, which
matched previous data.
A 2009 American Horse Council
survey of horse owners indicated that
old age was the most common reason
for horses to be considered
‘unwanted,’ and ‘economics’ appeared
to play a principal role in the decision
to donate a horse. Contradictory to
those findings, most horses in this
study were not of advanced age, and
the most common reason for donation
was musculoskeletal disease, with
degenerative joint disease, laminitis,
and navicular disease topping the list.
These results represent a narrow look
into the unwanted horse population.
Since the end of equine slaughter in
the United States, dramatic changes
have occurred in the availability of alternate programs for donation. The actual number of
unwanted horses is unknown. A broader investigation to characterize the magnitude of this
problem and identify those horses at risk is needed. Based on this limited study, it is possible that
encouraging prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders can have an
impact on the number of unwanted horses. Many equine organizations including the American
Association of Equine Practitioners, The American Horse Council, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and various state veterinary and agricultural groups are concerned about this
growing problem and seek to better understand and tackle this difficult problem.
Design: www.goodad.ie
Photography: Tim Hannan, ITBA, IHWT, Keith Jack, Peter Mooney and Vanessa Teehan
32
The opinions and views expressed by the panel may not be shared by everybody in the
thoroughbred industry so therefore all ITBA educational publications are, by their very
nature, guidelines.
ITBA
Greenhills, Kill, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Tel: 00 353 45 877 543 Fax: 00 353 45 877 429
email: [email protected] www.itba.ie
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